Dr. Winmill’s dissertation had a deep root from her lived experience and passion and advocacy for gender equity, social justice, and girl/women empowerment.

2.       Uplifting the Voices of BIPOC Women Leaders: A Call to Action – Dr. Winmill used this presentation at the Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Washington State Convention. This highlighted her dedication to research and practice that advances equity in education. Her ability to engage and inspire audiences with her insights reflects her commitment to fostering environments where women and girls can thrive academically and socially

3.      Teachers Leading in Refugee Education | SpringerLink – Book Chapter – Dr. Winmill co-authored this book chapter which explores the role of teachers as leaders for social justice, focusing on a refugee education teacher (Dr. Winmill).  It uses critical discourse analysis and boundary spanning theory to examine the complexities of this teacher's leadership. The chapter identifies four key themes: self-boundaries, environmental boundaries, network and resource boundaries, and advocacy boundaries. It highlights how teacher leaders challenge traditional leadership norms by integrating social justice into their teaching, advocacy, and network building for refugee students. The chapter concludes with recommendations for practices that support leading for social justice.

4.      American College of Education-Breaking Boundaries with Education as a First-Generation Graduate | ACE Blog

In this American College Education blog, Dr. Winmill discusses gender equality and human rights by sharing her personal journey as a first-generation graduate. She highlights the challenges faced by women in her family due to the patriarchal system in the Philippines and emphasizes the transformative power of education. The author underscores the importance of empowering women through education, illustrating how it can lead to broader social change and advocacy for human rights[1]

5.      Dr. Marissa Winmill Google Site- https://sites.google.com/view/marissa-winmill/home - This site contains several links and videos of what she has done and contributed to the larger society to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion for the marginalized, especially women and girls.

6.      NEA KEA CARE Grant BIPOC Showcase 2024 –

This is the end of second year showcase for the cohort of BIPOC educators where Dr. Winmill has been co-leading since the application of the NEA Great Public School Grant which has funded the three-year educator diversity plan focusing on racial justice, social emotional learning, and teacher advancement.

7.       National Board Leadership Conference Keynote Speaking Slide deck  

Dr. Winmill was invited as a keynote speaker to the Washington state National Board-Certified Teachers Annual Leadership Conference 2023. Her address/presentation focused on empowering teacher leaders to drive change. It highlights the concept of "activating teacher leaders' superpowers," emphasizing their unique abilities and potential to lead transformative initiatives within schools. The goal is to inspire and equip teachers to take on leadership roles that foster positive change in their educational environments.

8.      FAEW CARE Grant Ethnic Studies Cohort Kickoff 2021

This is one of the great work Dr. Winmill did with the Filipino American Educators of Washington as a change maker. She led the organizations in securing fund to develop and implement the Filipino American Ethnic Studies in the state. This was the slide deck of the first cohort kickoff. As a result, the organization was awarded $450,000 for the three-year development of the program.

9.      PESB Social-Emotional Learning Webinar Series

As former board member of the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board, Dr. Winmill continued to engage in supporting educators through this webinar series.

10.   FAEW-https://www.filameducatorsofwa.org/our-story –

This is the Filipino American Educators of Washington website showing the FAEW officers being women because of Dr. Winmill’s advocacy for women leadership.

11.     We Are America Kent – OSPI New Book Features Stories Written by Washington State Students

12.     https://youtu.be/j20qEHwC0mc?si=8DUIgINtn6nM9djp  - Self-Awareness/ Consciousness: Diving into authentic self-evaluation and rediscovering my superpower

13.     https://youtu.be/np1300EtKYM?si=tYh0dH3b_80iF_wP -Social Awareness/Self-management/Self Guidance: Community building using transformative strategies

14.    https://youtu.be/SU9Kl_5oyt0?si=eDjwg2-NX60QNgFz -PESB Professional Learning Series: Transformative SEL for Educators: Connecting Healthy SELves to Healthy Communities

15.    https://youtu.be/gKnOKpwKxD4?si=qcjmxX0pVQ80s2Eg- Supporting Schools in Communities

16.   Equity Ed Conference 2024- https://www.instagram.com/marissawinmill/reel/DAsTN4Bocfc/

I was 7 years old, an age when the world was a vast playground, when our lives took up a sharp tum. We had left Haiti with my mother, my brothers and sister and I for Guyana because my father was already there. After 5 years, a hasty exodus to America, a promised land as distant as a shooting star. My mother, her features etched with worry, searched for a job in vain. Guiana, once our haven of peace, had become a gilded cage from which we had to escape. My father, already settled in the United States, extended a lifetime, a call to a better future. But how could we have known the true cost of that journey?

This journey, however, was no leisurely stroll. It was more like traversing hell, a forced march under a scorching sun. Overcrowded buses, uncomfortable seats like breadboards, tossed us on bumpy roads. We were ghost passengers, traversing landscapes that unfolded like silent films, our faces etched with fatigue, our stomachs knotted with anxiety. Each city was a mirage, an illusory promise of rest. Uruguay and Paraguay, however offered only insignificant moments of respite, oases in a desert of fatigue.

The journey resembled a race against time, an infernal where illness and sleep deprivation were shipwrecked on a sea of asphalt, our hopes dwindling to a sliver. Each day was an eternity, each night a struggle against the cold and discomfort. In Peru, the immensity of the Andes, with their snow-capped peaks, was both significant and cruel. Beauty was a dagger plunged into our hearts, highlighting our own deterioration. Altitude sickness hit us hard, leaving us breathless, like fish out of water. How can beauty be so heartbreaking when one is suffering so much? Even the loss of our blanket, our only protection against the biting cold, couldn’t shake us as much as the constant threat of separation.

Then came the Darien Gap, an apocalyptic stage that would forever leave its mark on our souls. It wasn’t a path, but a battlefield, a relentless war against mud, fatigue, and fear. I remember the feeling of mud clinging to my skin like a second skin, a slimy prison. The weight of our bags, filled with meager rations, felt like a mountain on our shoulders. And the irreparable happened: I was separated from my family, lost in an unforgiving current. Anxiety gripped me. Fear, a ferocious beast devoured me. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope, a ray of light: another family, compassionate, welcomed us. Without that compassion would We have survived? This family was kind, reliable, understanding and believing.

After endless days, I found my family, and it felt like I had been brough back to life. After Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, Mexico awaited us, a land of paradoxes where hope was as fragile as a butterfly’s wing. Finally, American soil, a promised land finally reached, offered us respite after grueling odyssey. The scent of Freedom was almost palpable, even in the modesty of the motel room. We had won the battle, but the war was far from over. Our victory was a fragile flam, but it burned with unparalleled intensity. Finally, after weeks of grueling travel, we crossed the American border. The emotion was indescribable. The scent of freedom was almost tangible. We won. We survived. And that accomplishment, that battle won, was more precious than all the gold in the world. My family’s story is that of millions of immigrants who risk everything for a better future. What I want the reader to take away is the immeasurable importance of hope, perseverance, and human solidarity. The path to freedom may be strewn with unbearable trials, but the strength of family, mutual aid, empathy, and the deep conviction that life is worth living are lifelines in this turbulent sea.      

My first day of school, it all started when summer vacation ended. I was very nervous to start high school, one morning very early around 5:30 am my alarm went off and I was lazy to get up, but I remembered it was my first day of school and I didn't want to be late, so I put my laziness aside and got up to get ready. I was rushing more than I should have and I still had a lot of time so I stopped rushing because I would have a lot of time left. When I finished getting ready, I was hungry, so I had something quick and easy breakfast. It was 6:40 am so my mom took me to the school bus stop. When I got there, I waited inside the car until the bus arrived. When the bus arrived, I sat alone and then my boyfriend arrived and sat next to me. We sat together, talking about how nervous we were, and so when we got to school, I was lost because I didn't even know where to go, so I didn't leave with my boyfriend. We entered the school, and I didn't know what to do, so I asked my boyfriend if I could ask someone because I was embarrassed and didn't know how to speak English. He asked a teacher, "Where do we have to go?" and the teacher told him, "You have to go to the gym." He replied, "Okay, thanks."  We left and arrived at the gym. There he met some friends he had. He got excited and said hi to them. I didn't know what to do, so I just stood there, kind of uncomfortable because I didn't like them. Some time passed, and he went off with his friends and abandoned me. After a while they put us all in the gym, and there were some signs with letters (A-F, G-J, K-N, O-S, T-Z) so those letters meant that we had to line up by the initial of our last names.  Since he and I had different last names, we weren't in the same line. Anyway, when it was time to look for my schedule, I looked and looked for it but couldn't find it. The teacher who was there saw that I couldn't find my schedule and said, "What's your name, so I can help you find it?" I told her my name, and she started looking for it, but she couldn't find it either. So she asked someone if they could help me look for it in other lines because maybe it had gotten mixed up with other papers. The other person helped me look in other lines; we looked and looked, but we couldn't find it either. Well, after a while, I found it and then I left. I didn't know what to do; the school was big, and I got lost. Then I texted a friend and asked her what we had to do or where we had to go. She told me to stay with her, and I agreed. I think we were in the gym, playing in groups with a small ball for almost the entire day. It was time to go home, and guess what? I also couldn't remember where the bus was, and I got lost too. On the way out I ran into my boyfriend again and we sat together on the way back home. We were talking on the way. I asked him, "How was it?" He replied, "Fine, and you?" I said, "Fine too, I think, but I got lost a lot." He said he'd gotten lost a couple of times too, but it was normal because it was his first day. When we got off the bus, he walked me home because we were almost neighbors. I got home, and my mom asked me, "How was it?" I replied, "Fine, I guess." Then I went to my room to do what I normally do. My mom yelled at me to eat. When I finished eating, I fell asleep looking at my phone and woke up almost at midnight. After I woke up, I saw it was late, so I went back to sleep. The next morning, my alarm rang again to wake me up, because it was another new day to go to school.

In November one of my uncles went to the ranch, then my parents told me that I could come with him, in November 29, 2023, we already had everything ready and we took a flight to Kent, it was my second time that I came to the United States, second time because I was born in Renton WA, since I was little they took me to Mexico, to the state of Guerrero, I don't remember how old I was, but I was little, years later my brother and I were sent to the United States alone, that was like when I was 6 or 7 years old, that time, it was the first time I came to the United States, but it was by road, we only lasted about a year here, because my parents told my uncles that our parents wanted us in Mexico.

Well, as I said, that day November 29, 2023, was my first time traveling by plane, I was nervous, I asked myself many questions. What if the plane crashed? Would we die instantly? the trip was long, about 9 hours.

As the days went by, I went to school, Kent Meridian School, the day I entered school was January 3, 2024, everything was a process, I already knew that it was different from how it is in Mexico, because I had already studied here for a year as a child, it was difficult to make friends, because I am not very sociable and more difficult because I did not know English. Now that I have more friends, I feel happy because we can go out together, I miss my friends from Mexico, but I know that I can see them again.

A few months later, I made the decision to look for a job, they didn't accept me anywhere, because I was 17 years old, but I was lucky, they hired me in a fast food restaurant called Burger King, it was weird, because it was my first job, my big advantage was that most people spoke Spanish, they treated me well, they were very nice to me, I felt a little insecure that I could be fired, because I didn't know much English, but I did well, they were patient with me.

To this day I continue working, I continue studying and I want to continue like this, so that I can have my parents proud of me and my brother with whom I am living.

I have learned many things being here, I am already independent, I already know what an adult life is, and that makes me feel proud of myself, because I did not think I would earn my own money, buy my own things with my own money, I did not think that I would be able to recover the English that I had forgotten as a child.

I know that I am still young, I am 18 years old, and I know that I have a life ahead of me and I know that many better things await me.

I think her story had everything and if she added a climax point to it and said how she got friends, how does she feel now that she has so many friends?

I loved her story, and if she could explain more about how she felt when she came to America and at this school and how it was different from the school in her country.

During the war, I went to school for 2 years and when there was an alarm, I would come home, I did not like these lessons. These lessons were shortened and lasted only 30 minutes, and when there was an alarm, there were no lessons at all, my school switched to distance learning. I did not like it very much. It was quite difficult to study, I did not do well on tests. I thought I would be like this for a couple of more years.

But one morning I woke up, my parents told me to pack my things, I got scared and asked them what happened, they said that we were going to visit relatives in the USA. That day we packed all the necessary things and went to Poland first. That day we drove for an exceptionally long time and when we arrived at the Ukrainian border it was -15 degrees, our passports were checked for a long time, we were afraid that we would not be allowed into Poland. But after a long check we were allowed in. When we crossed the border, it was four o'clock in the morning, and it was difficult to find a hotel that was open at that hour, but kind people helped us find a hotel where we stayed for the night.

 We had already been in Poland for 2 weeks, because we were in such a hurry that my dad forgot to buy plane tickets, and it was impossible to buy them, so all the places were already taken. I really liked Poland. The second language, other people, beautiful landscapes. When I was playing a game, my dad came up to me and said that we were flying to Germany, and from Germany to America, because there we bought tickets to the USA. It took 2 hours to fly to Germany, then we waited 1 hour, got on the plane and flew to the USA. This trip lasted a month, but we arrived in the USA.

In the US, we flew to Washington State because our relatives were there, they helped us. It was difficult, a different language, different people. When I first went to an American school, I was surprised that it was so big and that students were taken to school by bus - everything was different in my country. On the first day, I got lost in the corridors, but a classmate helped me. I already go to KM, and I know English well and I have friends.

And I was very happy with them when the Taliban came to Afghanistan, and we were not allowed to go to school. Before the Taliban came to Afghanistan, I went to school. I was a very good student. My teachers were proud of me, and I was encouraged. My studies were going very well until the Taliban came, and I said, "Maybe we can send our girls to school." When the school holidays were over, they said, "Girls can't go to school." I was very upset and cried a lot, wondering why we can't go to school. After that day, I decided to study at home. My father also works with the Americans. I said that maybe one day I will go to America with my family. My father was also in Afghanistan. Our economy was not good, and things were very expensive in Afghanistan.

Our economy was not good and it was very expensive in Afghanistan. It was very difficult for those who were poor to find food. Gradually, things got better. I came to America. I want to tell you that six months after the Taliban came, my father received an email from the Americans, who said, "You can send your documents in a You can go to the company and share your documents with them. They will see your documents and then they will decide when you can leave Afghanistan. They told us that you can get ready because we don't know when they will leave. We still do not know when you will leave.

 And it was clear when I was going, that is, the date was clear. When it became clear, half of my family who were in Afghanistan were very  upset and we were also upset that I was being separated from half of my family. And so we went to the airport and we were there to see our documents and we got on the plane, that is, from here until we came to Qatar, we were not the only ones in Qatar, but there were families who wanted to come to America. We were there for 2 months until our work or documents were sorted out. The weather in Qatar was very hot. We would go outside at night, which was very hot inside. Well, 2 months passed.

After two months in Qatar, they vaccinated us and gave us a bus to put the rest of our belongings in. We headed to the camp at night, where they tried to pick up the buses. We were on the bus from night until morning until we got to the airport, where we slept a little until our tiredness subsided. After that, we got on the plane, which was easy for us because we had already flown from Afghanistan to Qatar, and it was easy for us and we weren’t afraid. And when we came from Qatar to the United States, it was a long way. When we got here, there was one person, a case walker. They helped me get to the hotel. They put our things  in a car. When we got to the United States, it was dinner time. I was so tired. I didn’t even think about eating, and I slept until morning and had breakfast. We had two rooms in the hotel. We stayed in the hotel for a month until we found a place to live. We came home, put our belongings in, and waited two months to go to school. When I went to school, I didn’t understand English. I was happy there because I couldn’t go to school in Afghanistan. I'm going now, I made a lot of friends and studied at school. I was very happy. I gradually learned English. When I started high school, I was a little stressed about my studies, but I'm still trying my best to get somewhere and achieve my dreams.

In  Taliban come to Afghanistan I am so sad because in Afghanistan Taliban kill people and 2023 I leave Afghanistan I going to Pakistan With my family.

The first day in Pakistan I was very sad because I left Afghanistan it was very difficult for me when we arrived in Pakistan, my uncle built a house for us and we played soccer with mu cousin After the first Day my cousin and I to a very nice park in Pakistan and we had a great time. Ofter that we went an Afghan restaurant it was a very testy meal.

In 2023 I come to USA the first Day when I come to USA my fell is not good because I don’t have a friend and I didn’t understand English, its so hard for me and we want come to Seattle but in fly there is problem and I don’t no what is the problem because of that we are Going to Oregan there  is no Afghani to help us to found the Walmart and same Afghani store. 

My name is Abdullah, and I’m form Afghanistan 3. years ago, I was just chilling and my room with my brother and this time Afghanistan Falling, and 2021 Taliban come to my country and this time I was so sad and difficult feeling and this time they are goon to kill my family and, but my dad say I won to leave my country and then I come Qatari. When I come to Qatar I have encountered many things I have never seen before, Among the beauties of the city of Qatar,   was and Qatar like 3 months and then I take tickets to come U.S., and I was so happy when I come to the New York then we stayed for  2 weeks and then I come to the Washington and then I stayed and my uncle Home.

When I come outside to see I Washington, how is it like it was so snowy outside and I like it but 3 days after I take  my green cards and then I feeling successful and then I looking for the  house and the I find in Auburn when my family see the house it was my family like t and I like to and then TO the new house and then 4 day after I came with my father to I enrolled and  school and the first day I found some friend Afghan I was so happy but when I go to the calls I can’t find the my calls that’s was so hard for me to ask teacher because I was don’t know English but I told my Afghan friend  then he show the calls and then I sit and  my class but my dad don’t like Auburn .

after one year I leave  to the Kent and then I come to KM  I was so happy and when I come inside and school I see my  Afghan friend and then I Tok with my friend about school this time I feel happy and then I find some friends Afghan this time I was  feeling so happy, and I was just chilling with my friend and happy.[M(1] 

And I’m and KM I’m doing learning English and I’m happy and KM.

 [1] this was a good story because he was chilling with his brother when the Taliban came to his house in 2021 in Afghanistan

Weeks after I came to US, my mom asked me if I want to go to a cool place and I said yes, she bring me to shopping because she wanted to show me how shop looks in US and I started to like it, and my mom started to sow me a lot of cool things and places, and a random cop stopped me and my mom, and he start complaining what are we doing there, and my father came asking about what is he doing, and that cop started yelling about us saying, Immigrants should not be there, and my father showed our documents and saying we are citizens, and the cop deny saying that is fake documents and the cop tried to arrest my family, and a supervisor came asking the cop “what are you doing” and the cop started saying lies about, those homeless family tried to stole food and harassing people, and the supervisor said “Can I check the cameras?” the cop got nervous and said yes, the supervisor checked the cameras and saw the whole scene and then he fired the cop and say sorry about everything that cop did to your family, after my family leaved the shopping the same cop that got fired, appointed a gun to my dad but another cop saw that and shotted a electric gun to stop that man, after all this I felt very nervous and I went to my home and slept to forget all the thing that happened  because “balloon about to pop”,  after I slept my mom has fainted and taken to the hospital while I was sleeping, and when I woke up  I was asking myself “where is my mom?”, after this I remembered the day my mom said to me “if one day I die, you need to make your own food”, I was like “no is boring to make my own food, I don’t know how to make a food, oh no” and after 6 hours later, my mom woke up in the hospital and my dad take her to home, when they opened the door I started to jump and being happy because I dint want to make my own food, and my mom went to bed to sleep, My dad told me he went to the court and the corrupt cop got jailed for 15 years, after I heard that, I got happy because my family finally got justice, and after that I went to sleep because I still was very tired.

Two weeks after this mess, me and my parents went to the same shopping center that all those things happened, and we start to chill and do a lot of things. Months after, we were celebrating my birthday and my dad got a new phone for me, and the day was very joyfully, my parents bring me to a lot of cool places and after all that I got very tired, and I went to sleep to end the day.

2021, my family and I made the difficult decision to leave Angola and start a new life in Brazil. For years, we have heard hopeful stories about promising job opportunities and a more secure life but leaving it all behind was not easy. We knew that once we left there would be no turning back.

We took a flight from Brazil and stopped over in Qatar. The flight from Qatar lasted 10 hours. Then we took the second flight, which was from São Paulo. We arrived at the house we had rented.

During the whole time of our walk, I missed my friends and family, I missed my beautiful grandmother, sometimes I thought about going back to see my family who stayed in africa.

I changed my number and then I lost all my friends' numbers, and I also didn't use social media so I could contact them again, but I didn't know how.

In 2023, in the month of February, on a beautiful sunny day, my parents made the decision that we would leave Brazil.

In fact, it was difficult for my brothers and I to accept that we would leave Brazil to go to the USA. In Brazil, we studied and had conditions here in America. We had no relatives or acquaintances who could welcome us.

In the same month of February, we bought a ticket to El Salvador and, as soon as we arrived in El Salvador, we took a bus to Guatemala.

At the beginning of the hike everything seemed so fun, there were also other families so there were a lot of people from different countries. My family and I traveled through some forest trails like Tapachula, Guatemala, El Salvador and Tijuana city in Mexico and then we reached California. During that trip I got tired and couldn't walk anymore and my mother told me, daughter, be strong, I know you can do it, I had to be strong and... I couldn't give up or think about how tired I felt the grueling challenges we faced as we desperately tried to get to America were relentless. Day after day we traveled with little rest, carrying only a few belongings. The trip was exhausting. The scorching heat during the day was unbearable, making every step feel like a torturous struggle, and at night, the biting cold relentlessly penetrated deep into our skin.

Despite our paralyzing exhaustion, we pressed on, knowing that what was to come could change our lives forever.

As the days passed, persistent hunger became a constant companion. My younger brother, who was only six years old, cried desperately because of thirst, but we had to carefully ration the little water we had. Sometimes I wonder: will we ever achieve it?

We didn't have money to buy water and there wasn't even a canteen nearby. We drank hesitantly from the rusty, uncertain taps.

I don't even know if the water was safe, but we had no other choice. There was no money, no canteen – just our growing, relentless thirst.

Thank God, in April we were able to enter America (California). There we were arrested by the California police. We were held for 3 days in a cell, and we couldn't see anything from outside or know if it was already dawn.

After 3 days we were released and put in the hotel, then we bought our ticket to Washington Seattle.

I did not write this story to let people know about my life, but to let them know that everything in life is possible if you keep faith in everything you do, you will succeed, no matter what kind of hardship 

One day In Mexico. everything starts of how I had to leave Mexico to come here to the United States. I remember that we had a family reunion That was in 2023 at my grandparents' house. There were my grandparents, uncles and cousins and suddenly my mom started telling my grandparents and aunts that she didn't want to be in Mexico anymore. Because she wanted us to have a better life, after talking so much a decision was made and it was decided that we would leave Mexico.

 I remember that I was so sad, because I didn't want to leave the life I had in Mexico. Especially my favorite cousin, her name is Fanny. One thing I miss about my cousin Fanny was when we used to go out and have sleepovers with my other cousins, I miss a lot of things like that. The next day we started packing our things like clothes, shoes basically the most important thing. I remember that my brothers and I were so scared, we didn't know what could happen, but then we let go of that fear.

I remember that from Mexico City we took a bus to Cancun. I remember well that we were on the bus for 3 days. We went through many beautiful places. Those places were Merida, Jalisco and Mazatlán

But I also remember how sick my 2 brothers and I got.

My mom had to stay up every night because we were still very young. and we didn't know how to take care of ourselves

Then we finally got to Cancun. We were with one of my aunts there. I really would have preferred to be in Cancun. We were there for 2 months. It was a really beautiful place. But then my mom gave us the news that we had to go to Tijuana to be closer to La Frontera,

Then we had to travel to Tijuana where we were for 3 months. It wasn't a place that I liked. quite a few bad people, my mother had to work very hard, after 3 months we finally crossed La Frontera legal Mente. it was something very beautiful because we realized that all the effort we made was worth it, then we arrived in Los Angeles where I was for 5 months there I went to school, I remember that when it was my first day I was so scared because I had no idea what people were like, but then I made friends and everything changed, now I am in Washington and I love this new life that I have.

There was a war shortly before I left my country which is Iraq. At that time, we were at my uncle's house, we started hearing gunshots at night, and me and my sister, my brother, my brother, and my mother all gathered near a door and sat down, but our uncles were not there, I don't know where they were, and then the kitchen window was broken, and then my mother had the key. I don't know if it was a house or a shop right next to us. We went there and stopped there, I don't remember what happened next. 

The day I came to Türkiye in April 2014 we came with bus it takes 4 days to arrive with 3 buses because of some issues and when we leave in another bus stations the weather was very cold, we take some clothes from our bags. We came with my uncle but one of my uncle he came before us in Türkiye and after we arrive we meet with my uncle he took us to the some family he know them there are also from same country like us we stay 1 day with them in the morning my uncle he rented house before we come to Türkiye it is a big house was enough for us and beautiful the place was also beautiful there a park near us and small mountains, forest and there is a small empty space with grass. We came without my dad, I don’t why he didn’t come with us; we leave our own house in our country my dad stayed in that house my father came 2 months after us. After my dad came, my brother, sister, and older sister we went to register to start school.  There was a very steep hill to go to school. Winter had started and we were having a hard time going to school because the ground was freezing and there were many slopes. There was even snow up to our knees once. When it was winter, most people started to slide down that hill. My siblings and I tried to slide. While I was trying to slide, the school minibus was going up the hill in front of me. I was very scared there. I thought I would crash. It was right in front of me, but at the last moment, the minibus turned onto the other side of the road. I was relieved then. 

We were new there, so we didn't know the language. The strange thing was that we would say yes or yes to anyone who spoke to us even if we didn't understand. And my most unforgettable moment in primary school was when I fell while playing in the garden during the afternoon. I had a wound on my head, but my classmates weren't there. When I went to class after lunch, the whole class surrounded me. They asked me what happened, and I told them what happened. At that time, one of my friends was trying to wipe the wound on my head with a handkerchief in his hand and making an ambulance sound. We laughed at that time, but the real thing was how friendly they were. It surprised me. It was one of my best memories. 

When you and your family first arrived, your plan was to make Seattle your home. However, something happened during your flight, and instead of reaching your intended destination, you ended up in Oregon. This sudden change must have been both disorienting and frustrating. Arriving in a completely unfamiliar place, without knowing the language or the area, added to the difficulties you were facing.

One of the immediate challenges you encountered was the language barrier. Not being able to communicate in English made everyday tasks much more complicated. Finding something as simple as a store became a daunting task. For anyone, not knowing how to ask for help or read signs can feel incredibly isolating. These small but essential parts of daily life likely became major obstacles for you and your family. However, you demonstrated resilience in seeking support, and a caseworker stepped in to help guide you through this difficult time.

With the assistance of the caseworker, you and your family began to adapt to life in Oregon. The support they provided must have been invaluable as you navigated these early challenges. During the six months you stayed there, you likely faced more learning curves as you adjusted to your new environment. Though Oregon wasn’t your original plan, it became a temporary home where you worked to find stability in an unfamiliar world.

When the time finally came to leave Oregon and move to Seattle, the journey wasn’t as smooth as you might have hoped. After months of adapting to life in one place, preparing to transition to another must have been a mix of excitement and nervousness. Unfortunately, this significant move was accompanied by illness. Being sick during such an important time must have made the experience much harder for you. Coping with illness while managing the stress of a move is a challenge on its own, and it highlights just how much you had to endure.

Despite the hurdles you faced, your determination to move forward never wavered. Your journey from Oregon to Seattle was not just a physical transition but also a testament to your strength and perseverance. You were determined to provide a better future for your family, even when the odds seemed stacked against you. Overcoming language barriers, adapting to a new environment, and dealing with health challenges—these were no easy feats, but you faced them head-on.

Now that you’re in Seattle, I hope you’ve begun to find a sense of stability and belonging. Adjusting to a new place takes time, and I imagine that your resilience and determination have continued to guide you. Learning the language, building connections, and exploring your new community are all steps toward creating a better life. While the journey may not have been easy, your story is a powerful reminder of the strength and courage it takes to start over in a new country.

Your experience is one of perseverance in the face of adversity. From the unexpected detour to Oregon to the challenges of navigating life as a newcomer, you and your family have shown incredible resilience. Moving to Seattle, even while dealing with illness, was a testament to your determination to overcome obstacles and create a better future. As you settle into your new life, your story will continue to reflect your strength and the progress you’ve made.

When we arrived at the airport, we were greeted by my aunt's husband. I already knew my aunt Zeidy, but there was someone I had never seen in my life: my aunt Liliana. I had heard of her, but I had never had a chance to see it in person. The moment I hugged her, I felt a mixture of emotions, joy, nerves, but, above all, a warm sense of belonging. That summer was unforgettable. For the first time in a long time, my paternal family was reuniting, and every day was a new adventure. Walks, laughter, meals together... It was the perfect summer. But, like everything good in life, that time also came to an end.

The end of summer brought with it something that filled me with anxiety: my first day of school in a completely unfamiliar place. I didn't speak English, and I was afraid I wouldn't fit in. My aunt helped me with the registration and, the hardest thing was feeling completely lost, as if I was invisible in the middle of a world I didn't understand. Not knowing English made everything seem more complicated, from asking for help to simply introducing myself to others. Every day was a challenge, and sometimes I felt like I would never fit in. I remember September 12, 2022, it was time to face one of my greatest fears. The school was immense, very different from what I was used to in Guatemala. I felt tiny in the middle of so many people speaking a language I didn't understand. Luckily, my cousin John was there to help me find my classes. I also had a hard time adjusting to cultural differences.

In Guatemala, people are closer and warmer, while here I felt that relations were more distant at first. It took me a while to understand that it wasn't that people were cold, but that the way they socialized was just different. Learning to navigate this new environment was a slow process, but over time, I found my place.

In my second class, the fear began to dissipate a bit. There were several students who spoke Spanish, which made me feel a little more confident. It was there that I saw him for the first time. I won't forget him: a boy with a deep gaze and a smile who seemed to hide a million secrets. He was my table mate. At first, I thought he didn't speak Spanish because he was shy, but when the teacher put us to work together, I found out that he did. Still, at first, I didn't like him, but over time, his way of being began to catch my attention in a way I didn't expect.

The days passed, and every time we were in the same class, I felt his gaze on me. It was as if he was trying to decipher me, as if in the midst of all the confusion I felt, he was the only one capable of seeing beyond.

October brought with it the homecoming dance, a night I will never forget. I decided to take a chance and tell him how I felt. I confessed that I liked it, but he didn't say anything. He just hugged me and kissed me on the forehead. The silence felt like a stab, so I changed the subject, pretending it didn't hurt. However, at the end of the night, something in me couldn't resist it anymore. I approached and stole a kiss from him. The unexpected thing was that he gave it back to me. But there was confusion in his eyes, as if he wasn't sure what he felt.

Time passed and we got to know each other better. In November, he was the one who took the initiative and asked me to be boyfriend and girlfriend. From that moment on, I lived one of the most beautiful loves of my life. With him I learned what it was like to feel loved, what it was like to have someone who looked at me as if I were the most special thing in the world. For two years, we shared unforgettable moments, laughter, dreams and promises that at that time seemed eternal. This love taught me a lot about what it means to love and be loved. Before I met him, I was afraid to open my heart, to trust someone completely. With him I learned that love can be beautiful, but also that it is not always enough for two people to stay together. It helped me discover what I really value in a relationship and, above all, understand that self-love is the basis of everything. I learned that, even if someone is important in my life, I shouldn't get lost in the process. Thanks to this experience, today I know that love is not just about being with someone, but about growing together and, when necessary, knowing how to let go.

But life is unpredictable. Sometimes, even the prettiest love isn't enough to keep two people together. We separated, and although it hurt, I learned that there are loves that never disappear completely. I still love him and will always remember him fondly. But now I know that true love is not only being with someone, but also learning to let go when necessary.

Today, I look forward with gratitude. I'm excited for what's to come, even if it's not with him anymore. I have myself, I have my family, my friends and I am certain that, no matter what happens, every experience, every tear and every smile has shaped the person I am today.

After our time in Qatar, we moved to Virginia, in the United States. Arriving in Virginia was a stark contrast to what I had imagined. I didn’t feel good there; I felt lost and out of place. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Why did we come to the USA?” Those first days in Virginia were challenging, as I tried to come to terms with the big changes in my life.

Not long after, we relocated to Washington state. This new chapter began with a three-month stay in a hotel. Living in a hotel for that long was not easy, but it was a necessary step in our journey. Despite the challenges, I felt a sense of hope that things would improve. After those three months, we finally moved into a house—a place we could call home. Having our own space brought us a sense of stability and relief.

Once settled, I started school at KM, and this marked a turning point for me. Walking into a new school in a new country was nerve-wracking, but it didn’t take long for me to meet many new friends. Two of my friends even helped me navigate my classes, showing me the ropes and making me feel more at ease. It was heartwarming to realize that I wasn’t alone.

As the school year went on, I worked hard and managed to pass all my classes. It wasn’t just about academics; I was building connections and learning about a different culture. Meeting my teacher was another important part of my journey. They played a big role in guiding me through this new environment and helping me adapt. Each day in school became a step forward, and I began to feel a sense of belonging.

When I found out that I was going to move here, from the beginning I told my mother that I didn't want to leave Mexico, I told her that we had nothing to do in the United States and that everything we needed was in Mexico. And even though I said all that, my mom still wanted to move here, we started packing and we only took what we needed and the things we had in Mexico we left at my grandparents' house. We had to organize ourselves well and know what things we had to keep and what we didn't, and well, what we appreciated the most or the most valuable thing we had was left in boxes and the rest was going to be donated or sold. Once our things were ready, we took an Uber to the airport, the trip here was by state, and in short we took about 2 to 3 flights, but when we arrived at the last destination, we walked towards the border and once there the immigration police stopped us and left us under a tent to wait for more immigrants to arrive. Before that, the immigration police asked us to only take the essentials and that they threw most of the things away, so we didn't take them anyway. a lot because we already knew more or less what the procedures were. Afterwards they took us to another place where they were going to take information about where we came from and where we were going and they took our documentation, after that we went to search us again but this time they registered us with fingerprints and all our personal information. They separated us into groups, between men and women, after that they kept us in a type of cell, not exactly a cell but it was something like that, in that place even though it was hot outside, the inside was very cold and I was very tired at that moment because I had not slept well, we stayed there for about 1 or 2 hours. After that they moved us to the place where we were going to stay longer, they call this place "las hieleras", because of how cold it is, luckily I only spent three days in that place but this was the same as how we came, since some people who only cross the border alone, This was due to the issue of drug trafficking but it is not always like that, then once in that place, they gave us a blanket and food, they had us in rooms divided with plastic walls, and we spent 3 days there but being in that place felt similar to being a Jew in the Holocaust, I felt that same fear and discrimination for being Mexican, the treatment they gave was like that given to prisoners but it was like that since technically We were prisoners, but in the same way I felt like I was in a concentration camp, because we could only go out to the bathroom or else they would take us for food, or sometimes they would wake us up shouting to take the list so that everyone was in their rooms and that no one escaped. In that place I also lost track of time and only slept if I had the opportunity.

Afterwards they took us out to a patio to "play" but I think it was just so we could sunbathe, because we were protected all the time. the day without leaving, after those 3 days, they called us in groups to tell us if we could go to the United States or they would return us, one time they told us that if we could go they took us to a Christian hostel, but in that place even if only one day passed the treatment felt worse than in the icehouses, once there we took a flight to Washington, where we were going to stay for a while with a relative who had already crossed a month before us.

My experience the first months

Since we arrived in Washington, we did the necessary documentation of everything that had to be done such as getting our IDs, also things like addresses or other types of documentation or registration that are necessary, I was not going to school for a while because we did not know where we had to go and what to do to register for high school, since we knew where it was and what documents we had to bring, we came directly to KM to ask and why it was the closest high school, I thought that we should still register online because right there he told us which high school was closest, after going to KM, we saw what the school was like and we asked to register, after that, I started my classes but the first days and the rest of the school year were very confusing for me since I was very confused with the schedule and classes, and I say that it was almost the end of the school year because I registered just 1 or 2 months before the end of the school year, and thus I quickly finished the rest of year here and the rest of the year that didn't end in Mexico. It was difficult to adapt to the schedule since in Mexico they had a simpler and not so complex schedule and here not much, but I think that after a while I managed to adapt and get used to it.

It was also difficult because of the climate here since I thought it wouldn't be so cold in winter and so hot in summer, here the temperatures are lower and higher than in Mexico. I still can't get used to this, but little by little I'm doing it. I believe that arriving at a new place and living differently with different people and places will serve as an experience for me to live and grow as a person.

The day I came to USA it was in July 2020    in summer I was in California, and I move to Washington   I was whit my mom and dad and my siblings and it was so cold outside of airport because we were waiting for my aunty. And she took so long to come. We were waiting for 3 hours outside of the airport and she came to pick as up and   we went her house and we stayed there for a few months   and my dad start looking for jobs and he find one and we move to are first apartment.

And  I was so glad to live to my own place and I was too happy when my dad say we was about to move to a new house my apartment  was in Burien and I had good neighbors and I made some news friends and I was so happy but the problem is when I move to my new apartment I wasn’t able to spik English  whit my friends.   And I started with a whirlwind of sights and sounds as I arrived in Kent, WA, and immediately noticed the friendly faces and the bustling energy of the city, followed by a delicious lunch at a local cafe, and a relaxing afternoon exploring a nearby park. 

One day I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and I was struck by the diversity of the people and the architecture. I saw everything from modern apartment buildings to charming old houses, all nestled among lush green trees and parks.

One day me and my dad we   stopped for lunch at a cozy cafe, where I ordered a delicious sandwich and a refreshing iced coffee. The friendly staff and the lively atmosphere made me feel right at home.

This is the feeling. My first day in the USA was a mix of excitement, trepidation, and a sense of possibility. It was a day that marked the beginning of a new adventure, a chapter filled with the promise of growth and discovery.

Key points about Afghanistan's population by province

Highest population: Kabul province

their major provinces: Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif

Data source variations: Different sources may have slightly different population estimates for each province. 

Afghanistan has this highest population I was born in Kabul in at 2008 I was born in a famous city of Kabul Taimani that city was famous around the Kabul in a hospital by the name of children health hospital I have a lot of good memories and bad memories from there that I want to share to the people.

My birthday is at July 27 2008 and I have started the challenging life after 7^th years old I have started after that a hard life and a hard experience with good experiences I was at the end of six years old that I was like a kid which my cousin push me  from one floor to the land he was a kid too when he pushed me his mom washes the clothes with boil water when he pushed me I entered to the boil water and my back my legs was burned I had very bad situation for three month in the hospital it was a challenging beginning than every day my mom my grandfather my aunts and my uncles was taking care of me in the hospital I didn’t have sleep I was in a bad situation at the night times even I was about to leaving this world that my mom and my grandma every nights at two o’clock they had praying for me and then by the prying of them and by reciting of holy Quran that they had for me that bring me back to the live and I had so scared I feel I take out a lots of pains and even until death of myself.

Latterly my situation going to became better and I had feeling better than when I become greater, I started the school I was in first grade that I had second position at the class with a good memories in that year I had a younger teacher when I was in the first grade her name was Zainab I remembered the day of teacher that my mom ready to me she gave me some money she bought a gift for my teacher my mom take me to school.

She saw my teacher and said her congratulations and we got some food from home, and I got some snacks and drinks. We shared everything with each other and when we finished, we gave our gifts to our teacher and when we were done, we went home after that I didn’t have the day of teacher we ended.

I got celebrate the day of teacher after long times when I was in ninth grade but that was not like that my teacher was a man and that was at the time of Taliban we couldn’t do better, and then in those times my country was felled. 

and we were about to leaving the country and we had of patience for our works that was so hard for us to wait for coming to here and fortunately we received a call from embassy of United States that was a Afghani guy talk to us and he wanted some documents from my father about his job and his kids than when we finished that he we got a message from him that  he said go to the hospital for medical and vaccinations than after two days when we finished with the medical he send another message about to going in a token and travel company and we gave us our passports and documents then after three weeks of that he said go to the hospital  for testing covid 19 and we have taken the test for two time then after first test we had some problems and our flight was banned until two week after two weeks we have taken another test and that was good and after two days of that we have flight and our flights was started I had a long flight and I have a lots of experience about my travel to here. I was in Germany for 20 days that was good experience memories of mine and new friends travel to the Texas was also interesting and joyful about living there and knowing a lots of things and now I’m in a good situation which I moved to the Washington I’m working and studying hard. For arriving in high positions.

Many of the most successful people in history-like Thomas Edison, J.K. Rowling, and Steve Jobs-failed multiple times before they achieved greatness. Every mistake and setback teach us something valuable, pushing us to improve and grow. Instead of fearing failure, we should see it as a necessary step on the path to success.                       

                                                                          One of the biggest reasons people give up is because[QS2]  they see failure as a sign that they are not good enough. But in reality, failure only means that you are trying. It shows that you are pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, which is exactly where growth happens. The key is to learn from your mistakes, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward

                                                                          Think of failure as a test rather than an endpoint. If something doesn't work out, analyze what went wrong and try again with a new strategy. Many great inventions, businesses, and ideas were born from trial and error. The more you fail, the closer you get to finding what works. The only real failure is giving up too soon.

                                                                          So, the next time you fail, don't be discouraged-be proud.

It means you are learning, evolving, and getting stronger.

Embrace failure, and let it fuel your motivation rather than destroy it. Success is not about never falling; it's about always getting back 

Mistakes always take us to two roads: one leads to bettering yourself, and the other to repeating the same mistake. These words remind me of my childhood, a time when I learned one of the most important lessons of my life. When I was 9 or 10 years old, I had an experience in my church that taught me the value of resilience and improvisation.[QS3]   

I grew up in a Protestant family, and our church always had special performances during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The kids in the church, including me, would prepare something to present to the congregation. I loved these evenings because they felt unique and magical. I remember one particular Christmas Eve when the ground was covered in snow, and the church was filled with warmth and light. The air smelled of pine and candles, and everyone was dressed in their best clothes. It was my turn to perform a short speech, and I was both excited and nervous.  

I always sat at these services with my cousins, Vlad and another Vlad, who was my close friend. We would whisper and laugh quietly, enjoying the festive atmosphere. But when it was time to perform, I had to leave my seat and stand in front of everyone. I had practiced my speech for weeks. My parents helped me memorize the lines, and I recited them over and over until I felt confident. My Sunday school teacher also helped me with the words, encouraging me and giving me tips on how to deliver the speech with emotion.  

But as I stood in front of the congregation, my mind went blank. The words I had worked so hard to remember disappeared. I could feel my heart racing and my hands sweating. For a moment, I wanted to run back to my seat and hide. My teacher, seeing my struggle, quietly whispered the first few words to help me start. I took a deep breath and decided to keep going. I started speaking, .. To my surprise, the congregation smiled and nodded along. When I finished, I received warm applause, and my parents later told me how proud they were of me.  

Still, I felt ashamed in front of my parents because I usually delivered my speeches perfectly. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I had messed up. After the service, the church gave gifts to all the children for their participation—chocolates and candies. I received mine, but I was still upset. My mom and aunt noticed how I was feeling and came over to comfort me. They told me how brave I was for continuing despite forgetting my lines and reminded me that everyone makes mistakes. Their support meant the world to me and helped me feel better.  

After the service, our whole family gathered for a Christmas dinner. It was a tradition for all our relatives to come together and celebrate. The house was filled with laughter, delicious food, and the warmth of family. As we sat around the table, I realized that mistakes are not the end of the world. They are opportunities to grow and learn. In that moment, I could have let my fear take over, but I chose to keep going. It reminded me that sometimes, the best moments come from unexpected challenges.  

Looking back, I realize that mistakes are a natural part of life. They push us to think on our feet and discover strengths we didn’t know we had. My experience in the church taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure and trusting myself. It also showed me that people are often more supportive than we expect. The congregation didn’t judge me for forgetting my lines; instead, they appreciated my effort and sincerity.  

In conclusion, mistakes are not something to fear. They are stepping stones to becoming a better version of ourselves. Whether it’s forgetting words in a church performance or facing a challenge in everyday life, what matters is how we respond. Do we give up, or do we keep going? I choose to keep going, knowing that every mistake is a chance to learn and grow.  

                                                                                  Noor Shareef

All the memories I can truly call my own began when my family and I moved to Mersin, a beautiful coastal city in southern Turkey. I was just three and a half years old I don’t remember much about my life before that. Mersin was more than just a city to me, it was where I built my dreams, formed lifelong friendships, where I felt a deep sense of belonging and created memories that will stay with me forever. Mersin was the place that truly shaped me. I never imagined that one day, I would have to leave it all behind and saying goodbye to everything and everyone I knew.

 At the end of 2022, my family made the decision to move to the United States. I still remember the day when my parents told my brother and me. It was just a normal day. We just came back from school, tired and ready to relax. Then my mom called us over, her face was glowing with excitement. She smiled and said,

 “We are moving to America by the end of this month!!!”

My heart mixed emotions swirling inside me on that time.

“But what about everything here? I asked my voice a mix of shock.

“I know it’s hard for you and your brother and it won’t be easy at first. Still, this is the best for you both. You all going to have so many new opportunities and meet new friends and experiences.” She said warmly.

 I knew that she saw this as a bright new chapter of our life but all I was thinking about was leaving everything I had ever known behind, but I knew she was right. The idea of starting over in a completely different country was overwhelming. At the same time there was a feeling of excitement because I knew that I would have a better future. A new place, new beginning and a lot of endless possibilities were waiting for me.

 With a heavy heart I still remember the day I left with my family. In the airport when my best friend hugged me tightly and we knew that this was the last time I would see her at least for a long time, our eyes with tears explained everything. She was whispering words of reassurance and love.  

The journey to America felt endless. Would I be able to get used to the new life?  Would I be able to make friends? How would I understand anything in school? My mind was racing with a lot of these questions. When we landed in the United States, everything felt so different. The biggest difference was the people I saw, many of whom had unfamiliar faces. Also was the language, the way people spoke. Every sign, every announcement, every conversation around me was in English. Although I barely understood a language. It was overwhelming, but there was also something that made me feel like stepping into a whole new world

When I started a new school in America, I was touring the school with a teacher to get to know my classes and the school. I sat in a classroom full of students who spoke effortlessly, laughing and chatting while I sat in silence. When the teacher started talking, I recognized a few words but most of the time I felt lost. I felt like I was so foreign. Then, something amazing happened in my science class. One girl was sitting next to me, she smiled and started to introduce herself. She was talking with me slowly, knowing I was still learning English, and asked me about myself and my background. That small act of kindness made me feel welcome.

Over time slowly things started to change, I started paying attention to how people spoke, picking up words and phrases, and making more friends. Some were other immigrants who understood what it felt like to be new. I also began to appreciate the diversity in America. My school had students from so many different backgrounds. I wasn’t the only one adjusting to a new life. We all had our struggles, but we also had our strengths. But the feeling that I miss my friends and the comfort of speaking in my own language never leaves my heart.

All the big changes in my life were in the beginning of 2023. Something special happened to me and to my family life. My baby sister was born. I couldn’t qualify the excitement of my heart when I heard that she was born. The first time I saw her I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. She was so small, and she brought so much joy into our family. Her laughter, when she tried to talk, became the sweetest sound in our home. I had a strong responsibility to take care of her. When I struggle with some things her smile always makes me feeling comfort.

Now when I think about what it means to be American, I still have moments where I struggle, moments while miss my friends in Turkey deeply, I also feel proud of how far I’ve come. Following my dream to become a pharmacist in the future. Also, I learned that being American doesn’t mean forgetting where you come from it means carrying your past with you while embracing the future.

Moving to America wasn’t only about leaving one home for another; it was about growing, learning, and becoming the person, I am today. Finding happiness in new experiences while holding onto the memories that shaped me has brought me hope. As I look ahead to the future, I feel excited. I have dreams to chase, friends to share my journey with and, the goals I’ll achieve.

“We are America- a place where different cultures come together, where new beginnings are possible, and where every story matters. For me, it’s a fresh start, with new dreams, and endless opportunities or possibilities.

In 2021 when we heard the Taliban seized control of Kabul, we were in home and hide, suddenly my father called us and told us to pack up and go to the airport in a car at early morning. We arrived at the airport a few hours later. and then flew to Dubai and after a few hours we arrived there. The way many people spoke Arabic or English, and I don’t understand anything. I had a tough time there was hard and we were not capable of going outside, there was no school or anything for us to learn a new language. We had to go outside during nighttime only for one or two hours, which was really hit in the nights too. There was all Afghan people and all buildings that get together in outside it was a real mass. We stayed in Dubai for two months in the same building that we could only walk in the building and couldn’t go outside. After two months we went flew to New Mexico camp, we stayed there for 27 days which was our luck. There was tent made by plastic which separate room for all the Afghan people how immigrate. We had to walk for 3 or 4 minutes to get to the bathroom, it was far away from where we lived. There was a lot of noise from babies or people talking because the was no wall to block any sounds. We chose to come to Washington state because the plane that take people to here was full, they made us to go to Arizona if we not accept to go to Arizona we had to stay in New Mexico until they find home or get the plain to take us in Washington state. So, we chose to go to Arizona because we could not manage the problems there. After 27 days we flew to Arizona there was hot again. We were so unlucky, just like Dubai, Arizona was hot too. We had to go to a school for the first time in another country where no one spoke like us, not knowing the language we had to go to school. Me and my sister went to the same school but in different grades she was seven grade I was eight grade we had a hard time there but luckily. we find only three people that were from Afghanistan. After 6 in a half month there we start to be getting to learn English. After 7 months we made money to get here. It was easy for us, but my dad and two brothers could not fly with us in the airplane, they had to come by car. We got there so fast, and we had to live with my uncle until we found a house for us to live in. We stayed at my uncle’s house for 13 days and the other two brothers found a house for us, and then we went to the house that we live in until now. And in 2023 we start school I went to Meeker middle school for 1 month which was the last month of school. After that I get to this school, I was my eldest sister came first and then me, and I start learned English. My life has changed a substantial change, it gets easier to live here and know the culture and the language. To study, to see what I had to do in the future. To try hard for the future to build my vision board for the future. Coming to United from Afghanistan has its own challenges and problem. I got to do new things and meet new people. I never believed in my abilities and wasn’t grateful, but then with each passing day, I became more confident in my abilities and more grateful. Knowing the road ahead would fill with obstacles, but we were prepared to face them, armed with lessons learned from the journey thus far. Friends gained, friends lost, accepted by friends, and hurt by friends. I went through all of that, and then I realized that family and moving forward are equally important in my life.

Before moving to the United States, I attended a private high school called Weston in Playa del Carme, Mexico, before moving with my older brother Junior to Kent, WA with my aunt Galdina. It was a good school with excellent teachers and students who were generally friendly and respectful. However, teachers could be strict at times, which I saw as a positive. Sometimes students can be distracting or even disruptive, so I appreciate having teachers who maintained discipline and pushed us to do our best.

One of the things I liked most about studying in Mexico, whether in a private or public school, was the sense of stability. You spent the entire school day with the same group of classmates, which made it easier to build strong friendships. We became like a small family, helping each other with schoolwork, sharing lunch, and even going to each other’s houses to study or just hang out.

Before arriving in the U.S., I had many preconceived notions about what school would be like. I thought public schools here were very dangerous because of the way they were portrayed in the news. News reports often highlighted incidents of school violence, shootings, and other disturbing events, making it seem as though American schools were unsafe. Additionally, movies and TV shows created an image of high schools full of social cliques, where bullying was a serious problem and where students were judged harshly based on their appearance, interests, or social status.

Even though I knew not everything in the movies was true, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. My mind kept playing tricks on me, making me imagine the worst possible scenarios. I worried about whether I would fit in, whether I would be bullied, or whether I would struggle too much because of the language barrier. I had studied English before, but I wasn’t confident in my speaking skills, and I feared that I wouldn’t be able to communicate well with my classmates or teachers.

However, after just a week in school, my perspective changed completely. I quickly realized that, despite some differences, public schools in the U.S. and private schools in Mexico had many similarities. The students were generally friendly, the teachers were supportive, and there was a structured environment that helped everyone learn. I also noticed that, just like in Mexico, students formed groups of friends based on shared interests, but there weren’t the extreme social hierarchies that movies made it seem like there would be.

Another assumption I had was that most students in my school would be white Americans. However, I was completely wrong. My school is incredibly diverse, with students from many different backgrounds—Hispanics, Africans, Asians, and more. The cultural diversity is one of the most beautiful things I’ve experienced here. Walking through the hallways, I see people wearing different styles of clothing, speaking different languages, and celebrating different traditions. This exposure to so many cultures has broadened my perspective and made me appreciate the uniqueness of each person’s background.

One of the biggest differences that took me by surprise was the way students switch classrooms for each subject. In Mexico, students stay in one classroom all day, and it’s the teachers who move from one class to another. Here, it’s the opposite: students move from one classroom to another after each period. At first, this felt very strange and even a bit overwhelming. Not only did I have to get used to finding my way around a new school, but I also had different classmates in each class. This made it more difficult to form close friendships at the beginning, especially because I was still shy about speaking English.

For the first couple of months, I found it challenging to participate in class discussions. I was afraid of making mistakes when speaking, and I often preferred to stay quiet rather than risking saying something incorrect. However, I gradually started feeling more comfortable. My teachers were very patient, and many of my classmates were understanding and encouraging. They would help me when I didn’t understand something, and little by little, I began to participate more.

After about four months, I felt like I had finally adjusted to the new system. I started speaking more English, making more friends, and genuinely enjoying my classes. One thing I really appreciate about the way schools work in the U.S. is that switching classrooms allows you to meet a wider variety of people. Instead of being with the same group all day, you get to interact with different classmates in every subject, which means you can form connections with more people and learn about different cultures.

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to study in the United States. Even though I had fears and doubts before coming here, this experience has taught me valuable lessons about adaptation, resilience, and the importance of embracing change. Not everyone gets the chance to study in a different country, and I feel fortunate to have had this experience. It has helped me grow not just academically, but also personally.

Now, I no longer see change as something scary. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. No matter where I go in the future, I know that I will be able to adapt, make new friends, and find my place. This experience has given me confidence in myself, and for that, I am truly thankful.

SHAHEENA, MEHRAB

Goodbye, Husna: Holding on to a Friendship That Lives Forever. I am Shaheena from Kunar, Afghanistan. I lived in Kunar for 12 years. I lived in places where I have many memories with my grandparents and uncles and childhood friends. When I was 8 years old, I went to school with my best friend, her name was Husna, she was also 8 years old and we had a great time there, eating together. We were never separated from each other. But one day we went to school and after school I got lost in school, then I went home, she was behind me and she said, "Hey Shaheena , I'm here, we came home, we were neighbors, we had something to eat and then we went to the Quran lesson together and after that I went to my aunt's house, it was noon at that time and she went to her house, a few hours later, there was a strong earthquake that lasted about half an hour and was very strong. This devastating earthquake caused severe structural damage to many residences, making countless people poor and destitution. When I came home our house was also damaged but not much, but my friend's house was very damaged and my friend was also injured, I didn't even know that my friend was injured, but I only heard from someone that Husna was injured, and she was in the hospital. I was very sad, but I said that I hope she will recover. Well, a few hours later, I heard a lot of noise and commotion in their house. I went to her house, and I saw that she was dead, I didn't recognize myself at that time, I thought it was a joke, but it was true. I couldn't cry or speak, but I just went and sat in front of her, and I looked at her, I felt that she was sleeping, I could talk to her, but she wouldn't answer me, it was the most difficult time in my life.

After that time, my heart broke from the friendship and I say that I will never be friends with anyone in my life, time passed and she always came to my mind when I was alone in school, I would think of her during Eid days, we would wear the same Afghan clothes and go on long vacations with our families, we lived happily, but one day I was left alone so life had no meaning for me. Wherever her mother saw me, she hugged me and told me that I saw my daughter in front of you.

That time passed when I was 12 years old. Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021, and my father worked with the Americans. Many people who worked with the Americans left their homes and we also left our homes because the Taliban said that if we saw people working with the Americans, we would kill them. We were very scared, but my grandfather reassured us and said, "Don't lose hope, life also has good days, many people died there, many houses were destroyed, girls' schools were closed, the situation in Afghanistan became very bad. Then my parents decided to go to America. I came to the Kabul airport; it was very crowded. I was very scared on the plane because it was my first time on a plane for six hours. After we arrived in Qatar.

We stayed there for two days and then we came to Italy, we had a great time there. It was very beautiful. We stayed there for a month, and we came to New Jersey. I made some friends, and we were very happy there, so we stayed for six months and then we went to Kentucky. I was very sad because there were no Afghans there, a month later I went to school in Kentucky.

It was my first day of school and I didn't speak English, and the girls thought I was I am not Afghan. They would not talk to me or help me. One day when I spoke to them in Pashto, they were surprised that I was Afghan. Then they said, "I am sorry, we will not talk to you or help you." We thought, you are not Afghan, we stayed there for a year, we came to Washington, we saw a good life here because my whole family was there.

When I came to KM on the first day, I saw Malala, I meet her, now she is my best friend and I hope that we will be together forever now, I have a better life than before, and I speak good English, and I will have a good life in the future.

 It was October 8, 2021, it was a weekend in middle school, one of the most difficult and depressing days I've ever had. It was a weekend when I woke up with a message notification, sometimes I think to myself that I shouldn't have woken up that day. I saw that I had a long message from my best friend and her name is Rawan and got curious so I looked at the message and in the message it said she said to me that” I wasn’t the same as  I was in elementary school and that we had both changed and that’s why she wanted to end our friendship and wished me a good day”. At first I thought she was joking but when I looked at the message she seemed serious it wasn’t to be taken as a joke I read the  message many times, I read it as many times as I could count, I didn’t believe it, I rubbed my eyes, I tried to wake up I said “no this can’t be real, there must be a mistake” in fact because I didn’t believe it I went back to sleep and woke up an hour later, I read it over and over again finally I realized it wasn’t a dream, I had wished it was a dream so much but reality had slapped me in the face.

As far as I remember when I was little I was someone who immediately got mad at my friends for no reason. I guess it was because of some psychological and family problems but when I grew up I realized how wrong this was behavior, it was very stupid to get mad at someone for no reason and it was hurting the person in front of me. When I went to school after the weekend, I kept quiet instead of hearing the details and the problem from my friend's mouth. Yes, that was also my fault. Imagine receiving such a message from your closest friend and you keep quiet. It sounds very illogical, doesn't it? I couldn't say anything. I was very hurt and angry. That message was engraved in my head from reading it  every day. I had thought of everything that could come to my mind. Maybe she got tired of my behavior and got upset and didn't want to be my friend, but not asking in the first place was also a stupid behavior. When I think about it, I still try to understand why I didn't ask and why I just kept quiet.

 After that we started not talking to each other days, weeks and months passed time had already passed and it was almost 7-8 monthswe didn't talk at all. Everyday we were in the same class, we who used to hang out during breaks at school started not hanging out, not talking and even our closest mutual friend his name is Ehsan noticed this he was constantly asking what was going on between us but none of us said anything we just kept quiet even when I took my exams and told my family my results, my mom and my sister was directly asking what my closest friend got and I was just said I don't know, because my family knew she was my closest friend but I never told my mom about this problem between us and to be honest I had a hard time then one day my friend Ehsan was with our class teacher and not content with that he told other teachers that we were fighting and he didn't know why and then even the teachers asked us what was going on between us but we didn't open our mouths.

 I was feeling more and more depressed as the days passed because I didn't say a word to my closest friend and I had a hard time. What I didn't expect months later was that my closest friend said she wanted to talk to me when I was free, I was very excited and even wondered what she would say. When we met face to face, she said something I didn't expect and said she wanted us to be friends again and that it wasn't worth this ridiculous event, I couldn't believe it, I didn't think we would get back together because months had passed. I accepted but the hard part was that when we made up, we didn't know what to talk about, there was still a coldness between us. But then, as the days passed, that beautiful old intimacy came back, and we got back together like before. I felt like I was falling in love with life again.

 I am someone who values ​​the person I love no matter what, even though I moved to America, we still talk to each other and care about each other. Distances never matter to me whether I am somewhere else in the world, what matters is that we still feel the same love and respect for each other. If there is someone you really care about, don't throw up because of something ridiculous and worthless. You wouldn't believe me if I said I love them more than myself, but I believe and I know. Right now, I am in one country and they are in another, nothing changes and no one understands how much I miss them, you never know what a feeling is unless you experience it. I am glad we made up, I hope we don't get angry again and we don't drift apart. What I mean is, "Anyone you love from your heart, this person doesn't just have to be your lover. Family members , friends, teachers, relatives and more. Let's love and appreciate these people."